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Latest Surrey Fire and Rescue Services News

The motion states fire safety audits should be carried out in Surrey at least every 12 months on buildings with a communal entrance, including residential blocks, offices, shops and factories.

Having the right equipment to reach tall buildings to tackle fires at all levels has also been mentioned in the motion, alongside working closely with districts and boroughs to inspect housing blocks and to check cladding used on the buildings.

Finally, the motion asks to endorse the Fire Brigades Union and National Union of Teachers campaign that each new school built in England should automatically be fitted with a sprinkler system.

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Cllr Goodwin, who is also the Lib Dem spokesman for communities, said: "Our thoughts are firstly with the family and friends of those who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.

"And our thanks must go to the fire brigade who did their best to tackle the blaze, including members of the fire service here in Surrey.

"Our energies must now go into trying to make sure that we do everything we can to minimise the risk of such an event happening again.

"One of the most shocking aspects of this disaster was that no fire service in the country had the necessary equipment to reach the top of Grenfell Tower.

"That must change and quickly, especially with the increasing number of taller residential buildings that are being constructed in the UK. SF&RS also need the resources to do the job properly."

County Councillor David Goodwin is proposing the motion (Image: Steve Porter)

At the same meeting, a separate motion will be put forward by Labour member for Stanwell and Stanwell Moor, Councillor Robert Evans.

"Surrey County Council vows to learn from this experience, making the safety of all residents a top priority by ensuring that there is adequate fire cover in each of the county's 11 boroughs and districts," he asks.

"The council therefore agrees to review all planned cuts to fire cover including their equality impact assessment, pending the outcome of the Grenfell public enquiry and to secure additional money for fire safety from the government."

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Cladding destroyed on the exterior of the Grenfell Tower building (Image: Daily Mirror)

Last month, the Fire Brigades Union declared a motion of no confidence in Surrey County Council's fire authority , warning that cuts will put lives at risk.

The number of firefighters working in Surrey will plummet further if £10m is cut from the fire service budget, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned.

The union says the cut in full time firefighter posts , reduced by 126 since 2010, has already resulted in a 66% fall in the number of Fire Protection Audits carried out. The audits ensure properties comply with fire safety regulations.

A spokesman for SF&RS said they are confident the fire service will continue to keep residents safe. SF&RS also wrote to landlords of tall buildings in the county , asking them to revisit their risk assessments following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

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